Services On the Occasion of Death

“The resurrection is a central doctrine of the Christian faith and shapes Christians’ attitudes and responses to the event of death.  Death brings loss, sorrow and grief to all.  In the fact of death Christians affirm with tears and joy the hope of the Gospel.  Christians do not bear bereavement in isolation but are sustained by the power of the Spirit and the community of faith.  The church offers a ministry of love and hope to all who grieve.”  (Directory for Worship, W-4.10000)

1.  AT THE TIME OF DEATH

When death occurs to a member or within the congregation of First Presbyterian Church, a member of the family should immediately notify the Pastor or one of the Elders of the church.  If the Pastor is not available and immediate pastoral assistance is needed, the Elder will seek to contact a neighboring Pastor as soon as possible.  The Pastor will offer Pastoral support to the family and assist the family, if requested, in making preliminary arrangements for the services of a funeral director and in making plans for an appropriate service of worship.

2.  SERVICE OF WORSHIP

“The service of worship on the occasion of death ordinarily should be held in the sanctuary in order to join this service to the community’s continuing life and witness to the resurrection.  The service shall be under the direction of the Pastor.  Others may be invited to participate as leaders in the service at the discretion of the Pastor.”  (Directory for Worship, W-4.10003)

3.  THE SANCTUARY

The sanctuary is a place of reverence and worship.  No items or furnishings should be moved without the permission of the Pastor or Session.  No personal items should be placed on the communion table.  Space may be made available in the vestibule or other areas to display remembrance items (photographs, etc.), if requested.

4.  MUSIC

The minister of music or church organist will be responsible for the provision of appropriate music for the service, which may include hymns and other music in keeping with our Christian beliefs and the Good News of the resurrection.  If special music, vocal or organ, or a guest musician is requested, the Pastor or the organist should be consulted at least 24 hours prior to the service.  It is appropriate for secular music that is not of a religious nature to be played at occasions of visitation or commemoration before or after the service of worship at the church.

5.  ARRANGEMENTS

Before the arrangements for the service are announced, the date and time should be cleared with the Pastor who will confirm the plans with the church office.  The church will always seek to give preference on the church calendar to services on the occasion of death.  If there are unalterable prior commitments, an alternative date and time may be suggested.

6.  PALLBEARERS

It is the responsibility of the family of the deceased to contact persons to serve as pallbearers, if needed, unless arrangements are made with the funeral home to do so.  Elders from the church may be asked to serve as active pallbearers, if the family requests.  The Session or a Sunday School class may serve as honorary pallbearers, if the family requests.  The Pastor or church staff may be able to assist in contacting church members or officers to serve as pallbearers.

7.  THE CASKET

Normally the casket shall be in place before the beginning of the service if the committal follows.  It is also acceptable for the family to follow the casket into the sanctuary at the beginning of the service.  In order that attention in the service be directed to God, in the sanctuary the casket is ordinarily closed.  A funeral pall is available for use in the sanctuary to cover the casket, if requested.  A flag may cover the casket when appropriate.

8.  THE URN

When the body of the deceased is cremated, the urn containing the ashes may be placed at the front of the sanctuary on a table beside or in front of the communion table before the beginning of the service if the committal follows.

9.  SERVICE OF COMMITTAL

The service of committal at the graveside or in the Columbarium and Memorial Garden of First Presbyterian may be conducted before or after the service of worship in the sanctuary.  It is appropriate for the family and close friends to gather at the graveside or in the Columbarium and Memorial Garden for a service of committal prior to joining the congregation in the service of worship in the sanctuary.  The service of committal includes brief readings from Scripture, prayers, words of committal, entrusting the one who has died to the care of God and bearing witness to faith in the resurrection from the dead.  If our Columbarium is to be used, a member of the Columbarium Committee should be notified by the pastor at the time of death. The committee will make arrangements to open and close the niche and administer the Columbarium Policy which is available in the church office. Urns must be purchased through the church office.

10.  FLOWERS

The furnishings and simplicity of our sanctuary make it a place of dignity and reverence.  It is fitting, therefore, that a minimum of floral decorations be placed in the sanctuary.  It is suggested that flowers be limited to a floral spray or arrangement on each side of the casket, in addition to the casket spray, and an arrangement on the reredos, if needed.  A floral arrangement in memory of the deceased may be placed in the vestibule or sanctuary on the Sunday morning following the service.

11.  FEES

There is no fee for the use of the sanctuary for the service at the time of death for a member of the church.  There is no prescribed fee for the Pastor or the Church Organist.  If a soloist of the church is requested, a minimum honorarium of fifty dollars ($50) is recommended.

12.  NON-MEMBERS

If the use of the sanctuary is requested for a service at the time of death for a person who is not a member or who is not the spouse, parent or child of a member of First Presbyterian Church, the request is up to the discretion of the Pastor.  If another minister is requested to provide leadership in the service, the Pastor should be consulted as soon as possible and should extend the invitation, if appropriate.  All other aspects of the service should be in keeping with the guidelines as stated above.

13.  OTHER RITES

The service of worship in the sanctuary at the time of death shall be complete in itself.  Any fraternal, civic or military rites should be conducted separately.  Such rites may be held at the graveside following the service of committal.                 

Approved by the Session on January 23, 2011